THANKS FOR SIGNING UP!

Picking a Scooter, Ride-on Toy, or Trike for Your Toddler

Is your toddler tired of being pushed around — in a stroller, that is? Then she just might be ready for a children's ride-on toy, scooter, or trike. Here's what you need to know before you head to the store.

Trending With Moms

Kids love toys that let them get around — and scooters, ride-on toys, and trikes for toddlers certainly fit the bill as some of the best toys for toddler play (at least once your toddler has mastered walking). While you may feel the urge to run alongside the first few times your tyke takes off, remind yourself that letting her hit the road — or rather the sidewalk — has real benefits beyond that gorgeous grin on her face. For starters, this type of toddler gear boosts large motor skills. It also instills a love of physical activity and helps toddler independence flourish. Use this guide to get your toddler rolling with the right set of wheels.

Scooters for Toddlers

All the rage right now, scooters seem to be the "it" toy among the toddler set — and that’s fine since most kids between two and three have the balance and coordination they need to scoot around safely. Most scooters for toddlers come equipped with wide bases and special steering for easy balancing, letting your tot sharpen her gross motor skills while building confidence (both on the road and off).

What to look for in scooters for toddlers:

Two front wheels, which make the scooter more stable than scooters with just one front wheel.

Handlebars that can’t make sharp turns, which keeps the scooter steady and make it less likely that your tot will take a tumble.

A sturdy construction with a base that’s low to the ground to help your little one balance easily.

A lightweight design. The scooter shouldn’t be too heavy for your child to push off herself should it fall on top of her.

Adjustable-height handlebars, which let the scooter grow with your toddler.

A base that’s wide enough at the front to fit both your tot’s feet (to help her balance) but that also tapers toward the back (to clear the way for a kick path).

Portability. Some scooters for toddlers fold, which is great if you plan on carting it on vacation or have to travel to an area where it’s safe enough for your child to ride.

Ride-on Toys

From retro rocking horses to battery-powered Porsches, there are lots of options when it comes to buying a children’s ride-on toy. So, how do you choose? Besides budget considerations, a good rule of thumb is that the younger the toddler, the simpler the toy should be. If your newbie walker can’t maneuver a ride-on by herself, get one with a handle so you can push it while she perfects her coordination skills (she should be able to push off using her feet by the time she’s 18 months). And wait until she’s closer to three before you think about buying a (slow-moving) battery-operated car.

What to look for in a children's ride-on toy:

Rocking horses and straddle ride-on toys should be sturdy, with wide bases and low centers of gravity. The toy shouldn’t tip easily if you push it from the side, and your child’s feet should rest flat on the floor while she’s sitting on it.

Rocking horses shouldn’t be able to rock so far forward or so far back that your li’l cowgirl can slip off her stallion. Check that there’s a limited range of motion before you let your tot do a test rock.

Cars that kids propel with their own feet should also be sturdy and low to the ground. Your child’s feet should rest flat on the floor when she’s seated, and her knees shouldn’t touch the steering wheel when she starts moving.

For battery-operated ride-on toys, make sure you can set it to a low speed; there also should be seat belts and an automatic braking system to keep your cutie buckled and safe in her seat.

Trikes for Toddlers

As they approach age three, kids get the coordination and muscle power it takes to pedal and steer a tricycle. Besides being fun, riding a trike is a great way to train your little one (and her leg muscles) for a big-kid bicycle.

What to look for in trikes for toddlers:

A sturdy construction with a wide base and low center of gravity. It shouldn’t tip over when your tot turns the handlebars sharply.

A good fit: Your child’s feet should easily reach the pedals when she’s sitting on the seat. (Get more use out of the trike by investing in one with an adjustable seat or frame so you can tweak the fit as your little gal grows.)

A removable push bar will save your back when your child inevitably asks for a push from you as she’s learning to pedal (or just gets tired of doing so).

The material on this website is provided for educational purposes only and is not to be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, or in place of therapy or medical care. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy

Advertising Notice

This Site and third parties who place advertisements on this Site may collect and use information about your
visits to this Site and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you.
If you would like to obtain more information about these advertising practices and to make choices about online behavioral advertising, please
click here